Furcraea foetida, (L.) Haw.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1980, Flora Europaea. Volume 5. Alismataceae to Orchidaceae (Monocotyledones), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 75

1. F. foetida (L.) Haw. , Syn. Pl. Succ. 73 (1812)

( F. gigantea Vent. ).

Monocarpic. Stem up to 1 m. Leaves 1-2 m x 10-15 cm, entire, erect to patent, apiculate but scarcely pungent, yellowish-green, persistent for some time after withering. Inflorescence (with peduncle) 6-12 m; peduncle equalling or shorter than panicle. Bracts of peduncle leaf-like, coriaceous, those of panicle brown, scarious. Pedicels 6-12 mm, articulated. Perianth-segments 20-25 mm, lanceolate, greyish-white; ovary with hypanthial tube c. 15 mm. Flowers infertile in Europe; reproduction is effected by leafy bulbils which replace some of the flowers. Plantedfor hedges in S. Portugal and naturalized. [Lu.] (Tropical America.)